Adventures in Babyfood making...

I got the Beaba Babycook for Christmas. Last night was my first adventure. Can you say easy peasy??? My first batch was sweet potatoes. I bought one for 50 cents. It made 13 servings (about 1 oz. each)! Economical and easy...I think I'm in love! It makes me feel so good knowing exactly what E is eating, knowing there are no preservatives or additives in her food. The Babycook steams (B chopped them about the size you would do if you were going to boil them) and purees all in one container, so clean up is a breeze. She and I are about to go have breakfast, so I'll let you all know how she likes my cooking :)

Here are a few shots from the process last night.

Generosity...

we were overwhelmed with it at Christmas! Seriously, we were given far too much. It's hard to express our gratitude for everything. We wanted to let everyone know that our simple "thank you" is coming deeply from our hearts. B and I sat and discussed this the other day. We don't think we could say thank you enough for everything we received and all the love from our families.



Here's a little peek at a few things we received...

The big daddy! We can't wait to watch the BCS Championship game in HD. I never knew what all the fuss was about until we had this set up in our home. 52 inches in our little house looks like we're in a theatre.
Love, love this gift! So easy to use to capture lots of memories of our girl...bonus...it's HD too! I will probably overwhelm y'all in the future with videos from the Webbie.

Love my new cowgirl boots too! Thanks Gimme and Pop!

This is really all I wanted. It's for Sweet E and I. I'm going to adventure into babyfood making and I think this Beaba Babycook will do the trick.

Also love my new bling Sorrelli ring...so pretty. This doesn't even begin to list all of the generosity of our families...but it's just a quick start on our deepest appreciation!

Our six month old

Has it been six months??? I took Sweet E for her six month appointment on Wednesday.
She now
weighs 14 lbs. 14 oz.
is 25 3/4 inches long
She is in the 5oth percentile.

While waiting in the exam room at the pediatrician I noticed a dry patch on Sweet E's arm near her elbow. I thought it was some dried on cereal I missed while giving her a bath that morning. I got out a wipe and rubbed and rubbed it. Then the doctor came in to check her. He noticed the patch during the examination and determined it to be baby eczema. I told him I had just rubbed it with a wipe because I thought it was dried cereal that I missed while bathing her...ha ha...poor first time mother!!! She got her first prescription and we are treating her with the cream three times a day. He didn't act like it was a big deal, so we're not going to make it one.
We could not ask for a sweeter, happier baby. Seriously! She sleeps through the night a majority of the nights, she is so happy (except when she is wet, hungry, or tired). I love how inquisitive she is...she is so curious. She wants to try everything. She's gotten her first "no-no" from me for pulling hair. I know she probably doesn't understand, but I don't want her to get into that bad habit. Her reaction---smile!! Just a quick update on Sweet E. I'll post pictures of our Christmas once I located my camera somewhere in the aisles of Toys 'R Us...I mean, our home.

We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. We sure did!

She was right...

Here is the other bit that I wanted to share with you from this past week's church bulletin.

Small children were putting on a Christmas program. The entertainment proceeded without a hitch until near the end of the event. Each child held a large card with a letter printed on it. The letters were turned away from the audience. One by one each child turned the card he or she was holding to reveal a letter. First was the child with the "C", then the one with the "H", and so on down the line. When it was time for a little girl to hold up the "M" it was upside down. The "M" appeared to be a "W". Quiet giggles rippled through the audience. Nevertheless, the kids continued one by one to reveal the rest of the cards. When the last card was shown, the cards were meant to spell out"
CHRISTMAS LOVE
Instead, they spelled:
CHRISTWAS LOVE
What first seemed to be a mistake wasn't one after all.

I just thought that was sweet and wanted to share. I know it's hard this time of year with all the running here and there, but take a few moments and thank Christ for his love. After all, he is the reason for the season!

Giving too much...

Yesterday we received our weekly church bulletin, you know the usual goings on and such. I had the mail in the car with me when I went to run a few errands yesterday evening. I was sitting in the drive-thru at the pharmacy so I read my normal sections of the bulletin...well the lady in front of me must have had several things to fill so I had a lot of time. I began to read the Student Ministry (Jr. High and up) section written by our youth leader, Michael. I am so glad I did! I want to share with you his thoughts on Christmas.

"Is it possible that we give kids too much? Wise and thoughtful parents should pause to think about the need to give their kids the best life, rather than giving them the good life. Our lives and actions should communicate that the best life is found in living in relationship with God by God's will and way, according to His standards of success, The best life consists of directing all that we have, do, and are toward loving God in every minute of our lives. And then, because of our love for Him, we should love those around us rather than treating them as competition or the means to material ends."

Well said Michael! I never read this section, well because I don't have a child in the student ministry. It was really refreshing to read this and it really hit home. We've been trying to do activities to give E a good start to the meaning of Christmas. I've been reading her The REAL Christmas story and this week we attended the Happy Birthday Jesus party at our church as a family.

Since I've become a mother I've been struggling with who I am. I know I have characteristics that I do not want to pass on to my child. I hope that she is a generous, giving, kind young lady. I think B and I are both becoming better people knowing that every move we make is being watched by our little darling. It's tough sometimes though to break your habits...mine is definitely gossiping...I don't mean too...total habit! It's not malicious...more of a he said, she said...blah, blah, blah...

I have another great story from our bulletin this week that I hope to post soon. But for now...Merry CHRISTmas, teach your children the real meaning!

I'll give it a whirl...

typing on B's netbook that is. It was sitting here on one side of the couch and a pile of laundry on the other side. I, of course, chose the netbook! E and I are sitting here waiting on Dada to get home. He had an unexpected late meeting out of town and we're going to have to take him to pick up is truck from the dealership when he gets back. Sweet E is playing with a book on her pallet, where she seems to be happiest these days.

So much happened in November...and I didn't make one post! We've got a mover on our hands and it's more fun to play with our sweet thang than to post...sorry y'all! She's rolling all over the place and pushing off of anything in site. Oh, Monday she reached for me for the first time...talk about melting my heart....

She's already outgrown all of her three month clothes and is wearing only six months. A few weeks back I separated the six months clothes into "small" six months and "big" six months. Well this morning her momma didn't remember to put her clothes in the dryer so she had to wear one of the big outfits...well I'm glad I tried it on her...hello! almost too small!!!

Dada just got here, he just told E he feels like he's looking at a photo album each day when he gets home because she changes so much in just a few hours. It is truly amazing! Welp...gotta run! Hopefully it won't be a month before we update again.

First Halloween

On Sweet E's first Halloween, she dressed as the most beautiful flower I've ever seen! She loved that costume! It was nice and cozy and she didn't fuss with it at all. Our plans got a little crazy late in the day because it was all rainy and cold. So we made the executive decision to just go take E to see all her grandparents and visit the assisted living that B's mom manages. Well on my way to pick up E's costume from our house, the weather turned sunny and pretty!! We had already changed plans...so since we were in the O-P-P we went down to their City Halloween festivities. It was so nice, even if we did get there RIGHT when it was over! While at the assisted living E got the distinct opportunity to me the King of Pop himself (I thought he had gone to the happy hunting ground(as my memaw would say)). That cutie had won two costume contests for his costume. I LOVED it! I am a huge MJ fan! B took me on our first date since E has been born to see the documentary, Michael Jackson:This is it. It was great and that would have been one awesome concert to attend. That night also brought E's first time to spend the night away from home...tear! She did great though. B and I didn't do so well! E wakes up each morning around 3:30 to eat and we woke up at that time also...only she wasn't here :(

All in all we had a great Halloween weekend and hope you did the same. We can't wait until E gets a little older. We're going to be hosting the biggest Halloween bash around out on the farm! Hayrides, smores, bonfires and more...gets me excited just thinking about it!

Stats for Memory

Today was Sweet E's four month well baby check-up. I knew our sweetie had grown, but I didn't realize how much.

She now weighs 12.6 lbs...up 4 pounds in 6-7 weeks.
She has also grown 1 1/4 inches.
Today she started rolling over both ways...over and over again. She even rolled over on the changing table. No more walking away from there for a second!
Also, on Friday or Saturday...I think Friday...she started making razzes...yeah I know...what? That is what the baby book calls that noise you make by pressing your lips together...like when you're playing boats or something.

I can't believe how much our little blessing has grown. Dr. E gave us the go ahead to start cereal whenever we're ready and three weeks later we can start baby foods. It's blowing my mind how fast she's growing up. We have more fun and more love everyday!

Sweet E's Dedication

On Sunday, we had the most meaningful day for our little family of three. It was Sweet E's baby dedication. E got all dressed up in her pretty Castles and Crowns "Faith" smocked dress and sweet little pearl bracelet. At our church, they do a slideshow of pictures of the child. Then, we promised to raise E in a Christian home and our fellow church members vow to help us along with our journey. It was a very special day for our little family. We were so happy to have Everly's Gimme, Pop, Papaw and Mamaw in attendence. Afterward we had lunch at our house. A delicious meal of potato soup, homemade bread, and a Dean's caramel cake (I am not that talented in the baking department!). I love to have family in our home, especially on such a joyous occasion! Today is Miss E's four month appointment. I'll post stats as soon as I can. I know she has gained a ton of weight. I can't wait to see exactly how much, the shots on the other had are a totally different story!

Busy Macks

Her favorite place to swing-in front of the door. I think she loves it outside! She's actually asleep there right now.

Fall has brought about a busy time for us. B and his dad have been restoring a tractor COMPLETELY! They are now finished. I hope to have pictures soon. It looks amazing! I have been busier than ever at school. This semester has been FULL of projects. By this time next year I will be almost done with my internship and that makes me excited! E, well she may be more busy than any of us! She's busy jabbering, rolling over, chewing on everything in site, and playing with her playmat and swing (great for a busy mommy). Miss E has become quite the social butterfly. She's been visiting new friends Bella Lynn and Ocean Thomas. She and OT even had a lunch date this past Sunday. Check out those cuties! She's also preparing for her baby dedication this Sunday. We can not wait to share in this special time together as a family and be able to share it with you guys soon. Hopefully Gimme will take video and we'll be able to post a snipbit.

Pumpkins and Cousins

E's sweet cousins-Emily, Nicole and Anna

With Grandmaw and Papaw

Helping dada pick the perfect one...

Beautiful sunflower field at the pumpkin patch...I love this time of year.

On the hayride

I love those sweet baby cheeks!

Bill and Hill the spiders also made an appearance at the pumpkin patch!

I caught E with her dress pulled up the other day. She was just chewing away on it.

So no, that isn't tee tee it's slobber!

Enjoying a bottle with dada before the hayride.

How about that beautiful smile?

It's our Blogiversary, blogiversary!

One year ago today we started our blog! My how life has changed! The good Lord has blessed us beyond belief. Little did I know when I started the blog that I was already pregnant with Miss E. She of course is our greatest blessing of all! We've also helped welcome many other new little lives this year-Annsley Elizabeth, Ocean Thomas, Bella Lynne, Macy Cadience, and Sylvie Elizabeth. All of whom their loving parents knew nothing about only one year ago. Isn't amazing what our mighty God can do in such a short time. We also were able to get a new truck and several pieces of farm equipment over the last year. The economy really hasn't effected us too much in small town, except for our last group of calves, everything has rolled right along. I am blessed to be able to stay home with Everly, except for the two days that I go to class. So below is a copy of our very first blog post. Maybe it will make you reflect over your past year and praise the Lord for all your blessings!


Brett and I have really enjoyed reading the blogs of our friends. He thinks they're great...so usually if he's interested...I am all for it. I don't think you'll see any posting from Mr. Mack, but I'll be more than happy to share news from his side of the sofa. I love blogging...it reminds me of my old pen and paper journaling days. This is much more fun though!!
We're in a crazy state right now, I feel like time is just flying by. A quick update to what has been going on-Brett is an environmentalist and commercial beef cattle producer. He has recently joined the Covington County Cattlemen's Association and Covington County Farmer's Federation (I am terrible with names so I hope I stated those correctly). He will be representing the Covington County Farmer's Federation in a statewide debate in December in Mobile. He is a wonderful public speaker. I am so proud of him. I can not wait to go cheer him on...hmm...not sure how my pom-poms will fit in at a debate.
I am not currently working, but I am going to school full time. I have about a year left to complete my Elementary Education degree. I am so excited. I have been observing this week at the local elementary school. I am also excited about being a new member of the Andalusia Junior Woman's Club. I was so used to always having someone to call and do things with in Montgomery. I think this is going to be a great opportunity to get more involved in the community and meet new friends.
So check back often...we're always up to something!!

Thanks Y'all!

Thanks to everyone who donated to the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis walk. Our team, Ollie's Army, raised over $15,000! Miss Ollie wasn't able to make it, she was at Children's Hospital receiving some antibiotics, I think we represented her well! Her sweet mommy took lots of pictures for Ollie to see in the future. So I wanted to share a few with you guys. Without your generous donations we wouldn't have beat our team goal! Terri, Lindsey(and Ocean), E and Me breaking a sweat to support Sweet Ollie
Our team! What a wonderful support group!
Miss E tearing up her hand! Check out those onesies I made for her and Ocean. E drooled all over hers and made the letters run...gotta love a teething baby!
We love you Ollie Pearl!!

Also, Ollie's mom, Lindsey is now making bows! You can search Sassydubows on Etsy.com or go to her blog (The Duboses)on my blog roll. She has a link posted to her Etsy site. She has some really cute beanies, headbands and jewelry!

Pics fixed

Sorry for not noticing...just a little scatterbrained these days! We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of Everly's bff. Miss Annsley will be here no later than the 1st! We can't wait to meet the precious angel!

Little words...lots of pictures

Hello! I am three months old.

> Ready for church

Heelarious crib boots from my great friend Monica. They really are "heelarious". I laughed and laughed at E with these on...notice the heart shaped spurs! They are available at http://www.heelarious.com/

Ready for church!

While dada was at the Alabama game us girls yelled War Eagle!

At dada's high school homecoming game...it's really hard to find something for a baby to wear three hours before the game that is black & gold!